3. Chapter 3 #3
Hannah said, “The bus arrives at twelve-thirty on Fridays. Chuck takes off work for his lunch break at noon, and this time of year he always sits outside at the picnic table under the trees, watching people go by while he eats. If you cruise past around twelve-fifteen, he should be there.”
“As long as it’s not raining, then. Sure.
” I pictured the corner with Fletcher’s pawn shop.
“I can gun the engine leaving the stop sign, if he’s not watching.
Or tap my horn. We could pull in at the Gas N’ Food on the next corner and swing back around once.
Not more than that, or he’ll get suspicious. ”
“You think he’ll chase us?” Micah asked.
Hannah said, “His car’s always parked behind the store, and he’s insanely jealous of Mr. Pierce. He won’t let her go.”
“Call me Lee,” I interrupted. “And this is Micah. All friends here.”
“Thanks.”
“Day after tomorrow is Friday,” I said. “You can bring us her hat and shawl tomorrow.”
“I have them in my car now. Peggy and I planned this out weeks ago, but Peggy wasn’t sure you’d agree. I saw Mr. Crue, Micah, on her doorstep today, trying to help. Then I saw him go back and talk to you, and how angry you looked, and I knew you’d say yes.”
That was optimistic, but she wasn’t wrong. “Go get them, then.” I opened the door for her and we followed her out.
She hurried to her car, opened her trunk, and came back with an armful. “Here’s the hat, and the shawl. I brought a dress for the dummy and a couple of pillows, but I guess you won’t need those.”
“Might as well use the dress.” Micah took it from her. “I did a drag show with some of the boys in the Pacific, while we were waiting for orders. Won’t be my first time in women’s clothes.”
“Thank you.” She turned a shining look on him and then me. “I’ve felt so hopeless, you have no idea.”
“Wait a moment.” I hurried inside, dug into my hidden stash, and brought out some bills. “Here, give that to her. It’s not a lot, but it’ll cover a motel for a week, so she can stay safe while she’s figuring things out.”
“She’d be mortified you’re giving her money,” Hannah said, “but she needs it, so I’m going to take it.
Call me if you need to meet up again. You have my number.
Say, um, say you want to set up a time to fix my broken bookshelf.
I don’t trust Mindy next door not to listen in.
” She glanced at Micah. “We’re on the same party line and I swear, her biggest entertainment is eavesdropping on other folks’ conversations. ”
“I’ll be discreet,” I promised.
“And I’ll phone you and cancel my bookcase repair if we have to call the plan off.
” She held out her hand, and I shook it firmly like a man’s, and Micah did the same.
“You’re restoring my faith in men.” Easing her considerable bulk behind the wheel, she made a neat three-point turn and drove off down my drive.
Micah turned to me, his arms full of women’s clothes. “Well, this should be an adventure. But… didn’t you want to do things differently?”
“What do you mean?”
“You were so angry at Chuck, so protective of her, I thought you might swoop in and save her, marry her. Don’t you have feelings for Peggy? She’s a lovely woman.”
“Me?” I stared at him. I’d always assumed he knew the truth about me, after I spent the best, worst night of my life sucking his cock.
But maybe he assumed I was like him, too drunk to protest or know what I was doing.
A straight man with one night of foolishness behind him.
“Uh, no. She’s not my type; she’s yours.
Do you want to be her knight in shining armor? ”
“Lee, I’ve seen the woman once.”
“But you keep talking about how beautiful she is.” I really needed my mouth to stop babbling now, but I couldn’t control myself. “How lovely.”
“Because she is. Stunning. And yes, my type, but I’m not remotely likely to be hers. Anyhow, you heard Hannah. Peggy won’t want a man around her for a long time. I’m not interested.”
“Oh.” I squashed the green-eyed monster that had been taunting me. Stupid jealousy. “Right.”
Micah eyed me curiously. “So what is your type if not a dark-haired beauty?”
You are. Words I could never, ever say. But telling some part of the truth was still best. Wolves can’t always hear lies, but we’re good at hearing the stress when someone isn’t truthful. “I’m more about the person than the package. I like courage, smarts, a sense of humor, quickness.” You.
“Like Hannah, then.”
“She’s married with two and a half kids. A long way from available.”
“But you haven’t looked for your own Hannah.”
“I don’t see you towing Janet-version-two around the country either.”
We stood there, staring at each other, but after a few tense breaths, Micah turned away. “I’d better bring these things inside and see if I can even get into the dress. Would be good to know before Friday.”
“You can let out a few seams if you need to. We’re not giving it back.”
I was about to say I’d stay outside and water the flowers or trim the bushes or something when Micah threw a glance over his shoulder. “Come on, help me figure out this dress stuff.”
No wasn’t an option. I followed Micah into the house to help him stuff his underwear clad body into a dress. Fate was surely laughing at me.